# Italy DL 21/2026: the single authorisation for data centers

> Article 8 of Italy’s Decree-Law 21/2026 (converted by Law 49/2026) puts a data center and its grid connection into a **single authorisation procedure**, and allows a **temporary medium-voltage connection** in the project documentation, with a definitive solution added later. It speeds up permitting; it does not create grid capacity.

By Razvan Toma, Founder & CEO, Ampervia · Last checked 2026-10-12 · https://ampervia.com/rules/italy-dl-21-2026-data-centers/

## Key facts

- Legal basis: DL 21/2026, art. 8, converted by L. 49/2026.
- A temporary medium-voltage connection solution is accepted, with an obligation to integrate the definitive solution (art. 8, para. 1-bis).
- Lombardy acts as competent authority in the single procedure for projects in the region (LR 11/2026).

## What it means for a site

Permitting and connection run in one track, which shortens time to ready-to-build. Capacity still has to be secured from Terna or the distributor, and Lombardy alone has 44.96 GW of data center requests queued.

## Sources

1. [Portale Normativo — DL 21/2026, art. 8](https://portalenormativo.it/articolo/dl-2026-02-20-21/art-8)
2. [BibLus (ACCA) — Legge regionale 11/2026 Lombardia](https://biblus.acca.it/download/legge-regionale-11-2026-lombardia-disposizioni-in-materia-di-data-center/)

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